Murphy's unlikely gold hunting mission

There will be those that feel Leicester are a touch on the lucky side to be in this Saturday's Guinness Premiership Final, and not without good reason either.

There will be those that feel Leicester are a touch on the lucky side to be in this Saturday's Guinness Premiership Final, and not without good reason either.

Heading into the final round of regular fixtures Leicester knew that even a bonus point victory over Harlequins would not guarantee them a place in the play-offs. What's more with five minutes to go, things looked even gloomier.

Harlequins were doing the unthinkable and winning at Welford Road whilst Wasps were, as expected, running riot against Leeds. A late Tom Varndell try, coupled with Sale's unexpected defeat against London Irish and somehow, as final whistles blew around the country, Leicester had made it into the play-offs.

Still, if they were to progress to a fourth consecutive final they would have to overcome Gloucester, a side who had previously lost just once in their last twenty-two home games. Cue a dramatic second-half comeback, rounded off by Andy Goode's drop goal three minutes from time, and Leicester were once again in the final.

Now they have every confidence they can go on and win the final, against all the odds, and in doing so get one over on their old enemies Wasps. With four days until the grand finale at Twickenham, Leicester's Geordan Murphy took a break from training to chat with Planet Rugby.

Despite the rigours of a long season the 30-year-old full-back revealed the squad are ready for one last push.

“We are all looking forward to it now,” an excitable Murphy revealed.

“Three or four weeks ago we were pretty much written off and people were saying there is no chance of us getting anywhere near the final.

“And yet here we are preparing for another big final and all the lads are excited and ready to go.”

The excitement of preparing for Saturday's final was palpable in Murphy's voice, and even the prospect of facing up to Wasps was not enough to put a dampener on his spirits.

“To be fair Wasps are a great side and one who we have got to know well over the past few years,” he explained.

“They are almost seen as grudge matches, but at the same time we have a huge deal of respect for them as they are a very good side.

“We know we are going to have to be bang on top of our game if we are to stand a chance of winning at the weekend.”

A quick glance down the years will tell you there is no love lost between these two giants of the English game. From classics such as their two Heineken Cup pool encounters in 2004, to Wasps' emphatic Guinness Premiership Final win in 2005 both sides know what it takes to beat each other.

Whilst he didn't go as far as saying the intensity is on a par with that of a Test match, Murphy was quick to point out both sides are never far apart.

“Having had so many huge games against Wasps down the years we are well aware that we have to raise our game every time we play them,” he said.

“There is no doubt the intensity levels go up in those games and each and every player has that little bit extra to give.

“If you look at the results between us it's very much a case of swings and roundabouts. This season is a prime example of that, we beat them in the EDF and then a few weeks later they came up here and beat us at home.”

It is not often Leicester go into big games as underdogs but on Saturday that is exactly what they will be, and a frankly honest Murphy said it was only fair.

But was quick to stress that doesn't mean Leicester will be an easy ride for Wasps.

“I don't think there has been too much to pick between the sides in the past,” said the 56-times capped Irishman.

“In most people's eyes we are probably going to be seen as the underdogs.

“If you look at it we were in seventh place with ten minutes to go in the last round of the league. We were always confident of winning that game and getting the bonus point but even then I was sure we would end up in fifth.

“Luckily for us Sale slipped up against London Irish which did us a favour and all of a sudden we are back in the mix.

“Last week against Gloucester we proved we can play some decent rugby so fingers crossed things will go our way this weekend and we will come home with some silverware.”

As they say one man's misfortune is another man's luck, and that could well be the case on Saturday. With Danny Cipriani and Dave Walder out injured Wasps may well be vulnerable at fly-half.

So we put it to Geordan that this may be a good point of attack for the Leicester forwards, not forgetting the marauding Alesana Tuilagi.

“They have not named their squad yet but we do know they have some quality fly-halves down there,” said an evasive Murphy, who would not be drawn on Leicester's attacking tactics.

“One of the guys, Jeremy Staunton, used to play for Ireland and is a very talented player and just back from London Irish. So he is back at the right time for them with this game in mind.

“Then obviously they have got Riki Flutey who can play ten and has a fair bit of experience in the fly-half role, and he too is a real class player.

“I mean Wasps have a strong squad in general and plenty of strength in depth and whoever they field it will be a strong back-line.”

Never one to hog the limelight Murphy was at pains to praise his team-mates for his own stellar form, a man-of-the-match award against Gloucester highlighting his superb form, in both attack and defence, at present.

“I like to think it is a reflection of how the team are playing really,” he said.

“We have started playing a lot better in the last few games and that makes it a lot easier for me as a full-back to keep going forward.

“There have been times this year where we have struggled and that makes my job difficult as we don't get enough ball and end up playing on the back foot more often than not.

“Naturally I am pleased to be in a rich vein of form going into the final but at the same time it is not something I am overly worried about.”

One area he was worried about though was the lack of silverware in the Welford Road trophy cabinet this season. Not that he is alone on that front.

The pressure has been gradually mounting on both the players and Head Coach Marcelo Loffreda, the man charged with leading Leicester to glory this season. Until the sudden change in fortunes in the East Midlands there had been calls for Loffreda to step down, less than a full season into his tenure.

And the ever astute Murphy realises Saturday is another pressure game as the Leicester fans expect a return for the season's efforts.

“Leicester are a big club and people expect silverware,” he said.

“Unfortunately we haven't got any yet this year and that has meant the pressure has mounted not just on Marcelo but also us as a group of players.

“Getting to a final is one thing and to then actually get to the final and win the trophy on offer is a totally different kettle of fish.

“So I think the pressure is still on us. The fans want to see results,